Cardigan of the year, McCalls 6844

McCalls 6844 must be one of the most popular patterns released last fall.  To date, there are 33 reviews on PatternReview.com.  This is the pattern envelope photo:

 

It is a cardigan with peplum and length variations.  Here are the line drawings:

I am not on the peplum bandwagon, so I made view B, the longer version with no peplum.  Why am I not on the peplum bandwagon do you ask?  Well, #1: I'm not a trend follower, and I often dislike trends on the principle of them being trends, rather than what they are.  #2: I really really don't need extra volume at the hip/butt, I have plenty of volume on my own. 

 

I bought the pattern in the Large-XXL size range, before reading the reviews on PR.com.  Most of the reviews said that the pattern ran large and that cutting a size smaller than your measurements suggest is wise.  I, however, was skeptical and only adjusted the shoulders.  I cut a Large and graded to an XL at the hip. I cut the each of shoulders about 1/2" narrower than a size Large.  While the shoulder width is now pretty good, there is still too much width across the upper back and across the upper bust.  I will grade the pattern down in those areas to make it more like a Medium. 

 

The pattern states that this is a close fitting cardigan whose fronts do not meet.  Wrong!!  Even though I essentially cut a size too big, the fronts definitely overlap.   See?

 

Here it is belted and unbelted.  I am very short waisted; my natural waist is only a few inches below my bra band and I always wonder how it looks when I wear belts like this. 

Granted, with a big, loose style of cardigan like this, not cinching it in some way can add all-over volume, which isn't a great look either.  I'm not sure which way is best.  Here are some back views.  See how I really don't need the extra volume that a peplum would give me?  I'm all natural baby!

 

The construction of this cardigan was very quick and easy.  I didn't interface the front bands and I am happy with the result.  I used a sueded jersey knit from Denver Fabrics.  The sueded just means that the wrong side is a little fuzzy, which is very nice and cozy.

One more thing to check out...the hems:

Wait a minute...that looks like...is it?...Yes!  It IS!!  A Cover-Stitched Hem!  That's right friends, Santa was good to me this year.  (And by Santa I mean me)  My husband is not good at gift giving/shopping, so I placed the order for a Brother 2340CV and received it while he was out of the country on a business trip. 

I sent him a facebook chat: "You just bought me a lovely Christmas gift.  Thank you." 
His response was: "?" 

I have been putting money aside for most of the year saving up for a Cover-Stitch machine.  I had been looking at the Janome 1000cpx, but I simply could not justify the extra $$$ for it.  My serger is a brother (5234PRW), and I am very happy with it, so I felt comfortable with the brand.

So there it is, my first finished garment of 2014 and my January Garment of the Month.